Having a furnace in your home is essential, especially during the colder months. It helps to keep your home warm by heating the air using electricity or fuel. However, as a homeowner, it's essential to know how much electricity your furnace uses to manage your energy bills better. In this article, we will discuss how many amps a furnace uses and how you can calculate it.
Understanding Furnace Amps
The amount of electricity a furnace uses is measured in amps, which stands for amperes. It's a unit of measurement that calculates the rate of flow of electric current in a circuit. The amperage of your furnace depends on the size, type, and age of your furnace. The newer the furnace, the more energy-efficient it is, and the lower the amps it uses.
Most furnaces use between 5 to 60 amps, depending on the type and size. Electric furnaces typically use more amps than gas furnaces because they require more electricity to produce heat. However, gas furnaces require electricity to operate the blower motor, thermostat, and other essential components, so they also consume energy.
How to Calculate Furnace Amps
You can calculate the amperage of your furnace by using a multimeter, which is a device used to measure electrical current. First, turn off the power to your furnace by switching off the circuit breaker. Then, remove the furnace cover and locate the wires that connect the furnace to the power source.
Next, turn on the multimeter and set it to measure amps. Then, attach the multimeter's probes to the wires that connect the furnace to the power source. Turn on the power to the furnace and wait for it to start running. The multimeter will display the amperage that your furnace is using.
Factors That Affect Furnace Amps
Several factors can affect the amperage of your furnace, including:
Type of Furnace
As mentioned earlier, electric furnaces use more amps than gas furnaces because they require more electricity to produce heat. However, gas furnaces also consume energy to operate essential components, such as the blower motor, thermostat, and control board.
Size of Furnace
The size of your furnace affects the amount of electricity it uses. A larger furnace requires more electricity to produce heat, so it will consume more amps than a smaller furnace.
Age of Furnace
The age of your furnace can also affect its amperage. Older furnaces tend to use more energy than newer ones because they are less energy-efficient. If your furnace is more than ten years old, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model.
Conclusion
Knowing how many amps your furnace uses is essential to manage your energy bills effectively. Most furnaces use between 5 to 60 amps, depending on the type and size. You can calculate the amperage of your furnace using a multimeter. Several factors affect the amperage of your furnace, including the type, size, and age of your furnace. By understanding these factors, you can make informed decisions about your furnace and save money on your energy bills.
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